We were thrilled this evening when Deb’s blood counts came in and we learned that engraftment has started! (Engraftment is when the stem cells she received from her donor start growing and developing, and her bone marrow and immune system begin to recover.) The first sign of engraftment is rising white blood counts, and Deb’s are beginning to go up. As the white cells increase they will fight the mucositis so her mouth and throat sores should begin to improve. Deb’s hemoglobin and platelets are also starting to rise. Her last transfusion was on Monday night, and we are hoping that she won’t need any more … but we still have to take it day by day.

Deb will continue to receive hydration and nutrition through the IV until she is able to eat and drink a sufficient amount. She still has pain when trying to swallow anything, but each day now there should be some improvement. We are very grateful to the Stanford medical team and to “Mr. International” (as we fondly call Deb’s anonymous donor) for making this miracle possible.

Awesome! So glad things are looking up. Here’s a metaphor for you: Finding your donor was like getting SMART to partner up and commit big bucks to the Cal Park Hill Tunnel. Your intense chemo was like clearing all the rubble from the tunnel. The infusion was like the start of construction, replacing the beautiful but again wooden ribs with strong steel. And now we’ve rounded the curve and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Can’t wait for the grand opening!

Wonderful NEWS!!! POWER TO YOU DEB!!! Love and keep improving from doug and gail!! We are so proud of you to keep fighting and recovering and your body accepting the transplant of bone marrow!!! WOW GREAT!!!

Deb Hubsmith
I'm blessed with a beautiful life, wonderful family and friends, and had an exciting career. But, in October 2013, I was suddenly stricken and diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following a two week illness not unlike a flu. My life changed immediately.

I was treated by Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Rafael, California for months where I received multiple rounds of chemotherapy. This treatment did not knock out my AML and my only hope for a cure was to go to Stanford Hospital for a bone marrow transplant (BMT) in March of 2014.

The BMT was very intense and painful but I made it out of Stanford alive. I was doing great and growing stronger until November of 2014 when my blood counts again dropped. I am now being treated for a rare bone marrow condition called serous atrophy, which keeps stem cells from functioning/multiplying properly in my bone marrow. I lost a significant amount of weight and have intense fatigue, must avoid public places (due to infection risk), and as a result spend much of my time lying in bed.

I deeply want to live but desire to have a quality of life that includes dance, community, working for environmental/social causes, being able to enjoy time in nature and spend quality time with my beloved newlywed husband Andy Peri.

I am surviving on blood transfusions and am in a place of yearning to survive. I am also open to letting go of this life with grace should my options fade away. What carries me more than anything else is the dramatic, soul-enriching love of family and friends and my own love and acceptance of change and all that has come to pass.